PRESENTS

DIRECTED BY MARIAH MOORE AND MELANIE GLADSTONE CHOREOGRAPHY Melanie Gladstone MUSICAL DIRECTOR Jeff Bell

A BROADWAY OLYMPIA PRODUCTION WWW.BROADWAYOLYMPIA.COM BROADWAYOLYMPIA

OFFICIAL PROGRAM BY OLY ARTS A note from Broadway Olympia I am beyond excited to have played a role in bringing A Christmas Story, The Musical, to Olympia. This show has a lot of meaning to me personally, and my hope is that our audience will get to experience some of the joy that it’s brought me over the last 30 plus years. I will never forget the first time I saw the movie. I was about seven, and we were staying with family friends in Kennewick. It was late December, and as is common in that part of the state, there was a lot of snow in the ground. The kids wanted to watch a Christmas movie, and I’m sure the adults wanted some down time, so we plopped ourselves in front of the TV, ready to watch one of the classics… Frosty, Rudolph, Snoopy, or even The Grinch. How disappointed I was when I saw that we wouldn’t be watching a cartoon, but a “grown up movie” with live actors! How could my parents betray me this way, and ruin the holiday evening by making us watch some movie we’d never heard of? What happened next would change our family’s Christmas tradition forever. My friends and I spent 2 hours laughing hysterically at the antics of Ralphie, Randy and the Bumpus hounds. We shuddered at Scutt Farkus, we cringed when Flick met his fate with the flag pole, and we shook our heads at Ralphie’s attempts to alert Santa to the object of his desire. It was pure, Christmas joy. Thereafter, A Christmas Story was a staple in our household every December. It never got old. When the musical premiered at the 5th Ave in Seattle before opening on Broadway and eventually touring the country, I was extremely disappointed to have missed it. In addition to being a new adaptation of one of my favorite childhood stories, two of my former castmates, Ian Eisendrath and Jenny Shotwell were among the cast. Ralphie was also played by an Olympia resident. So, when we launched our company, I could think of no other show that should occupy our holiday slot than A Christmas Story, The Musical. To be cast in the show is a dream come true. I’ve gotten to work with old friends and new friends… it’s been yet another “A Christmas Story experience” that will live on with me forever. On behalf of the cast and crew, we hope that our little show creates new Christmas memories for everyone, young and old. And we thank everyone who had a hand in making this thing happen… there were a lot of hands. Sit back, relax, forget about the hustle and bussel, and join us in remembering those wonderful days of our youth… maybe one day this will be part of your family’s Christmas story, like it will be for mine. ...Kyle Murphy Managing Director

OFFICIAL PROGRAM BY OLY ARTS OFFICIAL PROGRAM BY OLY ARTS Cast Song List Jon Lee Jean / Narrator Act 1 Act 2 Howy Hoard Ralphie Lane Nixon Randy Overture Entr’ Acte Kyle Murphy The Old Man It All Comes Down to Christmas Sticky Situation Meghan Goodman Mother Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out Melanie Gladstone Miss Shields It All Comes Down to Christmas (Reprise) Just Like That Liam Kendall Flick The Genius on Cleveland Street At Higbee’s Vivian Krom Schwartz When You’re a Wimp Up on Santa’s Lap Ralphie to the Rescue Before the Old Man Comes Home George Dougherty Santa / Ensemble What a Mother Does Ralphie to the Rescue (Reprise) Jacob-Joshua M. Barnes Scut Farkus A Major Award A Christmas Story Ariyanna Fernandez Ester Jane Parker Family Singalongs McKinlie Pontius Mary Beth Act One Finale Katie Howard Ensemble Ashley Chandler Ensemble Megan Kendall Ensemble Seth Barrett Ensemble TheMusicians Kendall McSwain Ensemble Piano/Conductor Jeff Bell Amber Sayman Ensemble Piano Dave Lane Lanita Walters Ensemble Percussion Randy Grostick David Maldonado Ensemble Henry Talbot Dorset Ensemble Adrian Renon Ensemble Crew Co- Director Mariah Moore Resident Musical Director Jeff Bell Co-Director and Choreographer Melanie Gladstone Stage Manager Melanie Ashby Costumes Jocelyne Fowler Lighting Design Joe Griffith Sound Design Peter Bargas Artistic Director Lexi Barnett Managing Director Kyle Murphy Prop Deisgn Veronica Emmerson Set Designer Lee Telnack

OFFICIAL PROGRAM BY OLY ARTS OFFICIAL PROGRAM BY OLY ARTS Thank you for your support! Cast Biographies Jon Lee (Jean/Narrator) - Jon has acted in Olympia for three years, having worked previously in Seattle and Portland. Most recently he played Roy Cohn in Angels in America at South Puget Sound Community College.

Howy Howard (Ralphie) - Howy is thrilled to be a part of the team bringing this classic favorite to the stage. Recently, you may have seen Howy as Les in Newsie’s: The Musical at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, and also, earlier this year, making his main stage debut as Chip in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast at TMP. Since 2016, he has been active in musical theater, and this will be his 17th production, overall. Howy is 10 years old and a fourth grader at Idlewild Elementary in Lakewood. Howy is especially excited to be a part of BOP’s very first season!

Lane Nixon (Randy) - Lane is very excited to be working with this amazing cast at BOP! He has previously done theater camps and workshops with both the Olympia Family Theater and Pacific Northwest Theater Company. In addition to acting, he loves baseball, video games and playing with his friends.

Kyle Murphy (The Old Man) - Kyle is delighted to be back on stage, playing a familiar role... “The Dad.” Kyle has been cast as “The Dad” in the majority of the musicals he’s participated in, dating back to his freshman year of high school. Recently you may have seen Kyle on stage as Wilbur Turnblad (the dad) in Apple Tree Production’s 2017 presentation of Hairspray, and literally nothing else in the last 20 years. Kyle would like to thank his family, and everyone involved in the production who made it fun to come to rehearsal every night.

Meghan Goodman (Mother) - Meghan is happy to be back on stage with BOP, having previously played Elle’s Mom in Legally Blonde, the Musical. Seen on stages around Olympia, favorite roles include Marty in Circle Mirror Transformation (OLT), Mouse in A Year with Frog and Toad (OFT), Lulie in Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche (TAO) and Ruella in Communicating Doors (OLT). A full time Realtor with Van Dorm, and a Board Member of Olympia Family Theater, Meghan is also the proud mother of four fantastic kids, including Sam (9) and Henry (7), so she has had a lot of practice telling her kids to “hurry up!” She is thankfull for her incredible husband Ron, and is excited for her sisters Gretchen and Jodi to see her perform for the first time. Enjoy!

Melanie Gladstone (Miss Shields) - Melanie is honored to choreograph for and perform with this wonderful cast. Melanie was last seen as Columbia in BOP’s Rocky Horror and also served as choreographer. During the day she is a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She has enjoyed theatre her whole life, whether on stage, backstage, or in the pit orchestra. Some favorite roles/ experiences have been Velma in Chicago, Kathy in Singin’ in the Rain, Anita WSS, among many others. You may have seen her onstage at BOP, TLT, TMP, Act 1 Prod., Dukesbay, or singing jazz around Tacoma. Melanie thanks the whole production and creative team and cast for keeping this vision alive throughout our time together. Thanks to you, the audience, for coming to support local live theatre! We wish you a fantastic holiday season and a happy new year!

OFFICIAL PROGRAM BY OLY ARTS OFFICIAL PROGRAM BY OLY ARTS Cast Biographies Cast Biographies Liam Kendall (Flick) - Liam is excited to be in this production. He is in 4th grade at Pioneer McKinlie Pontius (Mary Beth) - McKinlie has been singing, acting and dancing since she was Elementary School in Olympia and has previously performed with Apple Tree Productions in six years old. McKinlie is 10 years old and a fifth grader at Northwest Christian Academy in Lacey. Newsies, Annie, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Pinocchio, and High School Musical. He would She has participated in multiple musicals through the years. Some of her favorite roles include like to thank his family for being very supportive. playing the Wicked Witch in Rapunzel and Princess Tiger Lily in Peter Pan. She spent this past summer filming her first movie, Disney’s Timmy Failure, in Portland as a 5th grade student extra. Vivian Krom (Schwartz) - Vivian is proud to be in BOP’s production of A Christmas Story. This is her first production with BOP and she cannot wait to bring Mary Beth to life on stage. She Vivian is 12 years old and a seventh grader at Reeves Middle School in Olympia. She is a would like to thank her mom for encouraging her and telling her that anything is possible, her dad member of both Inspired to Move Dance Academy’s (I2M) Company and Competition Team. She for rooting her on and her nana for always being there for her. most recently performed in The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause (I2M) as Queen Zurline. Vivain also would like to thank her Mom and Stepfather for being so supportive and helpful. Katie Howard (Ensemble) - Katie is returning to the stage for the first time in over 15 years, and she is very happy to share this exciting experience with her son, Howy! Though it’s been George Dougherty (Santa/Ensemble) - George has been involved with theater in Olympia a while, some of her favorite shows to be a part of have been West Side Story and Joseph & since late 1989. He has acted or done tech for most of the local theater groups (in alphabetical the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Katie would like to thank her husband, Calvin, for being an order): The Abbey Players, Apple Tree Productions, Broadway Olympia Productions, Capital amazing support and doing his best to take over laundry duty! Playhouse, Harlequin Productions, Olympia Family Theater, Olympia Little Theatre, and Theater Artists Olympia. Previously, George did props for BOP’s Legally Blonde and co-did props for The Ashley Chandler (Ensemble) - Hailing from Vidalia, GA, Ashley is ecstatic to be part of the inaugural season of Broadway Olympia Productions and is excited to bring this wonderful story to Rocky Horror Show, and is thrilled to be acting in his first BOP production!HO! HO! HO! the stage. Ashley most recently starred in Harlequin Productions’ Stardust Christmas Fandango as Rita Boulivar/Diega Hernandez. She also appeared as Miss Lizzie Borden/Bridget O’Sullivan in the Jacob-Joshua M. Barnes (Scut Farkus) - Jacob-Joshua plays aggressive villains and bullies on Perennial Players’ interpretation of Blood Relations. Ashley earned her BA with a double major in stage. He attempted to murder the king in Piddler in the Noose, a Purim Spiel take on Fiddler on Performing Arts and Business Administration from The Evergreen State College and has since dove the Roof. In real life, Jacob-Joshua does not give noogies to children. He is a Madrachim, helping head first into the world of arts focused non-profits. She currently fulfills the role of Operations children with the singing at Sunday school. With his girlfriend, he co-wrote a Hanukkah sock Director at Harlequin Productions and strives to create unforgettable theatrical experiences for puppet play for children. He sings in the Temple Beth El choir. He loves animals and rehabilitates all. She would like to dedicate her performances to her grandparents who’s love and support are injured strays. A cat who decided to move in is Ginevra de’ Benci. He sells the organic eggs of his the reason she has become the person she is today. Special thanks to Bryce for supporting her chickens: Azzurro, Arancione, Bianco, Rosa, Marrone, and Giallo. He is in 11th grade at Waldorf endlessly to continue doing what she loves most in the world. Home School in University Place. He enjoys trig, art history, cartesian geometry, logarithms, spending time with his girlfriend, botany, agronomy, the white chocolate peppermint bark that Megan Kendall (Ensemble) - Megan is grateful to have been given the opportunity to be his girlfriend made for him, speaking Italian, studying world history, contemporary world poetry, involved in this show! She would like to thank Liam for encouraging her to share this experience and swimming. In his botany lab—his yard—he does botany experiments on the organic berries with him, Bobby and Gavin for their support, and friends and family from near and far who have and vegetables that he is growing from all over the world. He figures out how to adjust for our come to see her musical theater debut! Maritime Northwest climate. He is the valedictorian at his school with a student body of one. He wants to study biology and botany in undergrad. He wants to be a BGI chiropractor, helping Seth Barrett (Ensemble) - Seth Barrett from Buckley, Washington is in eighth grade and is people feel healthy and balanced. thankful to be on stage for A Christmas Story. Between acting, singing, and dancing, he likes acting best. He preformed in musicals from his church such as What’s up Zac? and Malice in the Palice. Ariyanna Fernandez (Ester Jane) - Over the past several years “Yanna,” 13 years old, has He will also be in a adaptation of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. His favorite been cast in musicals such as Annie the Musical (TMP), Jack & the Beanstalk (Centerstage superhero is Night Wing. Theatre), A Christmas Carol (ACT Theatre-Seattle), and has co-starred in several commercials and films. A few of her commercial/film credits include:Fruity Pebbles, Speak Up, Jump, and Soul Kendal McSwain (Ensemble) - Kendal has been singing and dancing since she was three years Stealer. Ariyanna enjoys playing the piano and ukulele, reading, drawing, spending time with her old. she is now 11 years old and is excited to be part of this production! She thanks her family for family, and is very passionate about writing music and lyrics. Watch for Yanna singing the National their support, and her favorite comic book charachter is Wonder Woman. Anthem for the UW’s Sports Teams on TV. Yanna is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the cast here at BOP and is thankful for her friends and family for all of their love and support throughout her journey. Ohhhh, Fuuuuuudge!

OFFICIAL PROGRAM BY OLY ARTS OFFICIAL PROGRAM BY OLY ARTS Cast Biographies Crew Biographies Amber Sayman (Ensemble) - Amber has been playing in the theater for four years now. At TESC Mariah Moore (Co-Director) - Mariah is incredibly excited to be a part of Broadway Olympia. After leaving the Shuman School for the Visual and Performing Arts in South Florida, she left she studied voice and acting under Rose Jang, Marla Elliott, and Rebecca Rogers—she was in The the spotlights of the stage and took up the pen of the director, albeit, for much darker shows. Visit, Fight Dreams, Duet for Bear and Dog, Ferris Wheel, Hands Across the Sea, a few pieces by Having directed shows like Blood Relations, a show taking an in depth look at Lizzie Borden, David Ives. On film and television, she can be seen in Olympia’s ownBing Bong TV (2 ep.), The and Pillowman, a show about child murder, she is very excited to throw her hat in the ring for Fabricated Partner of Cody McGuire (feat.), Booger 2.0 (feat.), a few shorts and comedic sketches, something a little more light hearted. and a Christmas commercial for The Olympia Furniture Company. She has performed with Malicious Wallydrags, New Muses, Open Road Productions, and for Olympia Family Theater. She was an extra Melanie Gladstone (Co-Director and Choreographer) - Melanie is honored to choreograph in Weapon Wing, a short science fiction film that follows the exploits of an expert fighter pilot shot for and perform with this wonderful cast. Melanie was last seen as Columbia in BOP’s Rocky down over enemy territory (Amazon Prime). Her favorite super hero is Sailor Moon. Go Geoducks! Horror and also served as choreographer. During the day she is a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She has enjoyed theatre her whole life, whether on stage, backstage, or in the pit orchestra. Lanita Walters (Ensemble) - Lanita Walters is thrilled to be part of A Christmas Story, The Musical. She has performed up and down the I5 corridor, but this is her first show with Broadway Melanie Ashby (Stage Manager) - Melanie is a junior at The Evergreen State College where Olympia. In addition to performing, she also works as a choreographer, and teaches at Tacoma she is studying Stage Management. She is also one of the coordinators for Riot to Follow Theatre Arts Live. Lanita is a huge fan of Thor. Productions at Evergreen. Favorite credits include Ordinary Days (Riot to Follow), The Laramie Project (Evergreen Theatre Company), No Exit (Riot to Follow), Too Much Light Makes The Baby David Maldonado (Ensemble) - David Maldonado absolutely loves Deadpool, and has Go Blind (Theatre Intensive), and Lysistrata (Theatre Intensive). been performing on the stage since the age of 10. He is a recent graduate of Timberline High school. You last saw him in Rocky Horror as a Transylvanian. You can also catch him in Broadway Jeff Bell (Resident Musical Director) -Jeff is thrilled to be part of Broadway Olympia Olympia’s upcoming production of The Wedding Singer, as George. David is also playing the Productions’ A Christmas Story after having recently music directed BOP’s production of The Rocky Horror Show. A veteran of more than 25 years in musical theatre working as a music leading role Jack Kelley in Apple Tree Productions NEWSIES. He would love to thank his family for director, accompanist and keyboardist, Jeff is a graduate of The Eastman School of Music and pushing him to follow his dreams endlessly and to the one and only Gemma. Thank you for being Northwestern University. After developing his skills in the Chicago, Jeff arrived in the Pacific here and to have fun and enjoy the show! Northwest six years ago, first to Seattle, and now Tacoma. Seattle credits include productions at The 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre as well as productions at Henry Talbot Dorset (Ensemble) - Henry attended Central Washington University having Cornish College of the Arts. studied musical theatre in his time there, but he has been on the stage since he was seven years old. In his nearly 20 years of performing experience he has played such parts as Chuck Cranston Jocelyne Fowler (Costume Designer) - has designed for Shakespeare Company (Arms and in Footloose, Antonio in The Tempest, Matt in The Fantasticks, Pippin in Pippin, Gaston in Beauty the Man, Timon of Athens, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Titus Andronicus, Richard II), Taproot Theatre and the Beast, John Adams in 1776 and many more. Earlier this year Henry was given the honor (Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Civil War Christmas), Book-It Repertory Theatre (Jane Eyre, Treasure Island, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein, Anna Karenina, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and of playing Albin in La Cage aux Folle as a guest performer at South Puget Sound Community Sweet), SSC’s Wooden O, Harlequin Productions, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Seattle Musical College. This is Henry’s second show with BOP and he hopes it is the beginning of a long a Theatre, Vashon Opera, Youth Theatre Northwest, SecondStory Repertory, ReAct Theatre, Live fruitful career with this incredible, new production company. Girls!, Porkfilled Productions, Bellevue College, Overlake School and others. She is the recipient for the 2016 Gregory Award in Outstanding Costume Design. Adrian Renon (Ensemble) - Originally from Maui, Hawaii, and a US Army veteran, Adrian has been dancing for 10 years, in numerous competitions and shows, and has been teaching Veronica Emmerson (Prop Designer) - Veronica almost didn’t join drama until her teacher put at Freedom Dance Center in Tacoma since 2013. His credits include J. Holiday, World of Dance forth a compelling argument: “Come to a rehearsal. If you like it, keep coming back.” Ultimately, tour Seattle 2015 2nd place Adult team division, and Boogiezone Breed Seattle season five. He she did like it, and continued coming back to theatre. Her favorite productions include Still Life with has also taught dance in Hawaii, Canada, Oregon, and Las Vegas. He began studying acting Iris, Beauty and the Beast, and Splendor in the Grass (with North Thurston High School). She is extremely honored to work with Broadway Olympia. earlier this year. He would like to express his deep gratitude to his friends and family for their unconditional support.

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